Bumper-operated brake and clutch mechanism



Edy 22, i924. 1,502,145 A. Kun-ns BUMPER'OPERATED BRAKE AND CLUTH MEcH'ANIsr/Iv Filed Jan. 15'. 1924 s-"sheets-sheet 1 Julyzz, '1924. 1,502,145

- A. KURTIS n BUMPER o-PERA'I'ED BRAKE AND CLUTCH MECHANISM' Filed dan. 15V.v 1924 rSheets-Sheet 4 July z2, 1924. 1 15,502,145

` l A. KuRTls BUMPER OIPERATED BRAKE AND CLUTCH MECHANISNIV Filed uan.- 15 1924 5 sheets-sheet 5 Patented July 22, i924,

UNlTED STATS ANGnLos Kuafrrs, or JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

BUMPER-OPERATED BRAKE AND CLU'lCl-l'.` MECHANISM.

Application led January 15, 1924. Serial No. 686,352.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ANGELos Konus, citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State Qf Florida, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Bumper-Operated Brake and Clutch Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for operating the brake, disengaging the clutch, and throwing the transmission into neutral position upon engagement of the bumper of the vehicle with an obstruction.

An object of the invention is to provide operating mechanism mounted on the frame of a motor vehicle and provided with connection to the clutch pedal, transmission operating mechanism, at the brake, with means operated by a bumper mounted on the forward end of the vehicle for controlling the operation of said mechanism and adapted to permit the operation thereof through the engagement of the bumper with an object or obstruction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a latch controlled operating mechanism for the clutch pedal, the transmission and the brake, adapted when released for throwing the clutch, and the transmission into neutral position and for applying the brakes, wherein the latch of said mechanism is operated through connections with the bumper when an obstruction or object is engaged thereby.

A further object of the invention resides in providing an operating mechanism for the clutch, the transmission and the brake, and a bumper mounted for rearward sliding movement at the forward end of the vehicle in engaging an obstruction or object for having connection with thev operating mechanism for sett-ing said mechanism into operation upon the rearward movement of said bumper, connections being also provided between the operating iechanism and the bumper for returning said bumper to its normal projected position as the operating mechanism completes its cycle of movement.

More specifically the invention includes a spring operated mechanism having the spring normally held under tension by a latch mechanism connected for operation with the bumper for releasing said mechaniOlr permitting the spring to Operate and through connections with the clutch pedal, the transmission and the brake operate said elements for moving the clutch pedal and transmission into neutral positions and applying the brake, additional means being provided for re-tensioning the spring and re-setting the latch mechanism together with the bumper.

The invention includes further objects and improvements in the specific details of construction and arrangement of parts which are more particularly pointed out in their details in the following description and claims illustrating the preferred form of the invention and it is to be understood that slight variation in the construction and arrangement of these parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure l -is a plan view showing the assembly of a motor vehicle frame structure having the invention incorporated therewith.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the front axle assembly showing the manner of mounting the bumper and connected parts thereto.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of one of the bumper mounting elements showing how the parts are adapted for relative movement foroperating a pair of levers which control the spring mechanism.

Figure l is a detail view, partly in section of a lever and shaft mechanism for reversing the movement of the operating rod.

Figure 5 is a detail section view through the spring operated mechanism for `the clutch, the transmission and the brakes.

Figure 6 is a sectionalr view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail side elevation of one of the brackets for mounting the bumper and associated mechanism on the front axle.

Figure 8 is a detail view of the rear end of the operating spring housing, showingy the clutch mechanism for operation to retension the spring.'

Figure 9 is a detail view of the clutch members illustrating the manner o f producing a relative movement of one member toward theother for 'engaging the clutch teeth of the members.

Figure l0 is a detail view of one of the clutch members taken at right angles to the showing in Figure 9.

Figure ll adetailview, Showing the manner in Which the bumper operated latch cooperates with the operating spring mechanism for holding said spring in tensioned relation prior to operation. Y

Figure 12 is a detail view of the foot operated lever and associated connections for operating the clutch mechanism of Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a detail' of the pawl and ratchet mechanism cooperating with the clutch mechanism during the setting of the spring member and also for limiting the operation thereof 1 indicates the fra-ine of the vehicle having a front axle 2 mounting the front wheel 3, the rear axle 4 mounting rear wheels 5 having the usual forni of brake mechanism carried thereby as generally indicated at 6, and a motor assembly 7 including a clutch operated by the pedal 8 and a transmission mechanism generally indicated at 9 for transmitting` the power from said motor assembly to the rear axle, all of which structure is of any desirable form as now used in the construction of motor vehicles.

Mounted at the rear portion of the frame and to one side thereof is an operating' mechanism generally indicated at 10, which includes a spring housing` 11 closed at one end and having guide projections 12 from diametrically opposite points at the other end for slidably receiving a plate member 13 in a manner clearly sho'wn in Figure 5. A supplemental spring iousing 14 is secured to the closed end of the housing 11 and mounted ,Within said housing in concentric relation for receiving a coiled spring 15 interposed between the closed end o!g the housing and a plate 16 mounted on a brake operating rod 17 extending axially through the housingl having' bearings in the rear Wall thereof and connected to the operating member 13 for operating the bral-:e in the assembly 6 of each rear wheel, the spring 15 normally acting to effect this operation. The end portion of the brake operating rod 17 extends through an opening' in the U-shaped bracket 19 mounted on the inside of the slide plate 13 and is formed with a lateral end portion 2O extending through a slot 21 in the top portion of the casi ng 11, the purpose of which will be presently described. An er pansible coil spring 22 is positioned over the inner spring casing 14 and within the housing 11 and normally engages the inner face of the plate 13 for Yforcing it outwardly relative to the end of the casing.

A shaft 23 is mounted in the central portion of the slidable plate 13 and extends forthe transmission 9'so that the operation of the shaft will also operate the transmission mechanism under predetermined conditions for shifting said mechanism to neutral position, thereby throwing the power unit out of operative connection withthe rear wheels. The bumper assembly includes a pair of bracket members 26 formed for mounting on the front axle of the vehicle as indicated at 27 provided at 23 with aligned bearings for the recept-ion of the shaft structure shown in Figure 4 and with bearings 29 extending forwardly of the bearings 28 and arranged in parallel relation for slidably mounting` the bumper assembly therein. rlhe bumper includes a pair of spaced interconnected parallel bars 30 having casings 31 secured betveen said bars in line with the bearings 29 and forming housings for the springs 32 mounted between the bars 30, the rear ends engagii J flanges on the ends of slide tubes 33 extending through the bearings 29 and mounting the bumper in the brackets 26 secured to the front axle. A pair of rods 34 are secured at one end to the forward bar 30 as clearly shown in Figure 3 and extends rear *ardly through the slide tubes 33 and beyond the rear ends of said tubes where they are provided with lever engaging terminals f 0). The direction reversing lever assembly includes a tubular shaft member 36 rotatably mounted in the bearings 28 and having collars 37 mounted thereon provided with lever extensions 33 provided with a pin and slotconnection 39 With the inner end of the slide tube 33, one of said collars being provided With a depending lever 40 pivotally connected at its lower end with the forward end of the shaft 23. rllhis connection provides for the sliding of the tubes 33 in the bearings during the operation of the mechanism 10 for retracting the bumper from the obstructions or obje-'cts with which it engage-s for producing the operation of said mechanism 10, and Which serves to return or project the bumper bars 30 at a distance substantially in front of the forward wheels 3 adapted for its subsequent operation upon engagement with an object or obstruction. A pair of bearing blocks 41 are rotatable in the ends of the tubular shaft 3G and receive a. squared shaft 42 for rotation therewith extending beyond the tubular shaft 36 and the ends of the bearing bloc-lis 41 for receiving the central portion of levers 43, the upper ends of which are adapted to bear against the ends of portions 35 for receiving motion imparted thereto by the forward bar 30 for transmission in a reverse direction to the operating rod 44 connected at its rear end with a bell cra-nl; lever 45, pivotally mounted on the plate 46 carried by the housing 11, and having the other end Yprovided With a cushioned connection withpa latch 47 adapt/ed for engagement with the prollO jecting ends 20 on the brake operating rod for holding the springs 15 and 22 underl tension preparatory for operation. This latch 47 is normally forced into the path o-f movement ofthe projection 2O by the spring 48 engaging against a collar mounted on the latch and a bearing carried by the plate 46 for the latch which normally holds the latch member in projected position. A bearing spring 49 normally under tension is mounted between a collar 50 on each rod 34 and an inwardly extending flange on the forward edge of the slide tube 33 for normall)7 tending to force the rods 34 rearwardly relative tothe tube 33.

The resetting mechanism for the plates 13 and the springs 15 and 22 include the sha-ft 51 mounted in bearings 52 on the rear end of the housing 11 provided adjacent the sides-of the casing with grooved wheels 53 having cable connections 54 for winding movement thereon with the slide plates 13 arranged so that the rotary movement of the shaft and the grooved wheels may be eected for retracting the plate 13 against the end of the housing and resetting the springs 15 and 22. The coil spring 55 is mounted on the shaft 51 between the bearings and has one end connected with said shaft and the other end connected with the end wall of the housing 11 for normally acting to rotate the shaft in one direction in order to maintain a tension on the cable 54. One end of the shaft projects substantially beyond one of the wheels 53 for receiving a clutch mechanism including a clutch collar 56 mounted on the shaft and against the wheel 53 adapted for rotation with the shaft and provided on its vouter face for clutch teeth for cooperation with corresponding clutch teeth on the movable collar 57 mounted for relative rotation and axial movement on the shaft through the operation of the lever extension 58 thereon. Each of the clutch members 56 and 57 are provided with recessed portions 59 communicating at the adjacent faces for thereception of aV spring member 60 adapted to normally force said clutch members apart for dis-engagingV the cooperatingv clutch teeth. A connection 61 is provided between the free ends of the lever 58 and one end of the bell crank lever 62 clearly shown in Figure 12 with the lower end of a foot operated lever .63 extending through the floor board indicated at 64 of the vehicle, so that the foot lever 63 is in close proximity with the position occupied by the driver of the vehicle for convenient operation. The end of the shaft 51 extending beyond the clutch member is providedy with a stop 65 formed or otherwise secured on said shaft ladaptedto engage and hold collar 66 against disengagement from the shaft and axial movement the1e01-f1v The colla-r 66 shown in -Figures 9 and 12 with the clutchv member 57 disengaged Yfrom its cooperating member.

If one operation of the foot pedal 63 is not sufficient to entirely reset the slide plate 13 in its normal position with the projection behind the lug member 47, it is necessary to provide a pawl and ratchet mechanism for?. 1

cooperation with the clutch mechanism in the resetting operation. This includes a ratchet member70 mounted on the shaft 51 adjacent one of the groove wheels 53 as clearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawing, having a pawl 71 pivotally mounted on the rear end of the casing 11 foroperat-ing with the ratchet teeth of said ratchet for holding the spring members in the casing 11 under tension at various steps in the setting thereof, before the projection 2O engages with the latch member 47 -A projection 72 fromy said pawl is connected with one end of a coil spring 73, the other end of which is connected with an operating cable 74 extended forwardly to a position within reach of the i driver, where it is connected with an operating handle 75 provided with a projection 76 spaced from the annular plate` 77 for cooperation with a plate 78 in a manner to provide a tension on the spring when the projection 76 is engaged with the plate 78 for holding the pawl in engagement with the ratchet and when the annular plate 77 is engaged with the plate 78 the tension 'of the spring on the pawl will be relieved fora purpose to be presently described. A link 79 connects the pawl with' a lever 8O pivoted to one side of the casing 11 intermediate its ends which also has a connection 81 in the form of a slide bar mounted in bearings 82 in the casing 11, which slide bar is provided with projections 83 at the forward and rear'ends of the slot84in the side portion of the casing 11, through which projects an extension 85 from the brake operating rod 17 for cooperation with the projections 83 for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet when the projection 2O is secured in such position by the latch member 47. After the release of `the projection 20 and the operation ofthe spring in the casing 11, the projection 85 moves forwardly and when it reaches its limit of movement it engages the 'forward eXtenSQl. 33. 014th@ slide bar 81 and engages the pawl 71 with the ratchet for limiting the movement of the plate 13 and the expansion of the springs contained in the casing 11. rlhe structure above described for tensioning t-he spring 7 3 is adapted for use in connection with the function of the bar 31 so as to relieve the tensionpf the spring after the setting of the spring within the casing 11 so that the l slide bar independently controls the operation of the pawl 7l. During the resetting of the spring and the slide plate, the operator of the automobile operates the handle 75 for tensioning the spring 73 and folding the pawl 71 in engagement with the ratchet,

for preventing` a return movement of the spring and plate 13 after each operation of the foot lever 63 so that the resetting` of the springs 15 and 22 in the housing 11 may be effectively and quickly performed.

When applied to an automobile in use, it willbe observed that in the forwardY movement of the vehicle, the various parts of the mechanism being set as indicated in Figure 1, that the springs 15 and 22 tensioned and held by the latch member 47 with the bumper bars projecting substantially forwardly of the vehicle, the impact to the bars 30 with an obstruction or object will force the same rearwardly producing a relative movement between the bars which is absorbed by the springs 32 for initially operating the lever 43 and connections lll with the latch mechanism for disengaging the latch 47 from the projections 2O to permit the operation of the springs within the housings 11. Immediately following this movement, the tubes 33 will be slid rearwardly in the bearings ,29 from the impact for assisting the initial operation of the shaft 23 which is extended forwardly under the action of the spring 22 for operating the clutch and transmission mechanism to position the same in neutral for disengaging the driving connection between the power element and the rear wheel. Simultaneously with the action of the spring 22, the spring 15 will project the brake operating rod 17 forwardly for operating the brake mechanism 6 in each of the rear wheels for applying the brakes and stopping the movement of the vehicle. During the operation of the'shaft 23 in its forward movement, the bumper 3 will be retracted or moved rearwardly in the bearings 29 though the connections between the pendant lever 40 and the shaft for preventing further engagement of the bumper with the objects and to assist in. preventing damage to the bumper bars 30. During this operation, the pawl 71 isdisengaged from the ratchet 7 O until the plate 13 reaches its forward limit of movement in the projection for engaging the arm 83 for moving the pawl into engagement with. the ratchet.

Before the vehicle can be restarted, it is necessary to reset the operating spring mechanism 10 having the springs 15 and 22 contained within the casing 11, at the bumper assembly mounted upon the front axle.

This is eifected by opera-ting the hand lever 75 to engage the projection 7 6 with the plate 73 and placing a tension on the spring 73 for engaging the pawl 71 with the ratchet,

following which a series of successive'operaf cable connection 54- until the projection 2O l* engages behind the latch member 47. During this retracting operation of the plate 13 andthe spring members within the casing 11, the shaft 33 operates the lever 4t() for rotating the tube 36 and through the lever connections 38 with the slide tubes 33 repositions the upper bar 30 forwardly of the vehicle in a position adapted for a subsequent cycle of operation for applying the brakes as above described.

From the above description it will be noted that a` simple and efficient bumper controlled mechanism is provided for setting the brakes of the vehicle and disengaging the power elements from driving connection with the rear wheels upon engagement of the bumper with an object or obstruction in the roadway.

`What l claim as new is:

1. A device of the class described including an operating mechanism, connections between said mechanism and the drive connection between the power unit andthe rear axle of the vehicle and a brake operating mechanism for disconnecting the drive connections and applying the brakes when the mechanism is released for operation, releasable means for holding the operating mech anism set for operation, and bumper controlled means for releasing the last mentioned means having a pair of brackets mounted on the front axle of the vehicle formed with spaced parallel bearings, a pair of spaced parallel bumper bars connected at the end portions extending transversely of the vehicle and forwardly thereof, the forward bar having rod'prcjections in line with the bearings of the brackets, the rear bar having sleeves slidably mounted therein and in the bearings and extending around the rod projections, the resilient means between the sleeves and the front bar for permitting relative movement between the sleeves and the front bar for permitting a relative movement between the sleeves and the rods when the bumper engages an object, connections between the rods and the releasable means adapted to operate said means in the operation of the rod to release said operating means, and connections between said sleeves and the operating means whereby the operation of said mechanism will retract the bumper from the object during the operation thereof and will project the bumper to its forward position in the ,resetting thereof.

vmechanism set for operation, and bumper controlled means for releasing the last mentioned means having a pair of brackets mounted on the vfront axle of the vehicle formedwith spaced parallel bearings, a pair of spaced parallel bumper bars connected at the end portions and extending transversely of the vehicle, the forward bar having rod projections in line with the bearings of 'the brackets, the rear bar having sleeves slidably mounted therein and in the bearings and extending around the rods projections for slidably mounting the bump-er in the bearing, resilient means between the sleeves and the front bars for permitting a` relative movement between the sleeves and the rods, a pair of relatively rotatable shafts mounted in bearings on said brackets, one shaft having levers mounted thereon provided for engagementat one end with the rod carried by the forward bumper lbars,`and connections at the other end with said releasable means adapted in the rearward movement of said rod to release said means and 'permit the operation of the operating mechanism, levers mounted on the other shaft having counection at one end for cooperation with said sleeves in the movement thereof in the bearings, and a shaft connection at the other end with said operating mechanism whereby the operating mechanism will slide the sleeves rearwardly through said bearings and retract the bumper bars from the objects engaged thereby and in the resetting of said operating mechanism the bumpers will be again projected to the forward position relative to said bearing.

3. A device of the class described including an operating mechanism for the drive connections between the power unit and the rear axle, and a brake operating mechanism for disconnecting lsaid drive connection and applying the brakes in the operation thereof, said mechanism including a housing provided with guides, a slide plate mounted for movement on the guides, connections between the slide plate and the drive control.- ling connections, a brake operating shaft slidably mounted in the housing, means in the housing for moving the slide plate and the brake operating shaft for effectively' operating the respective parts connected therewith, means for setting said lirst mentioned means preparatory for an operation, releasable means for holding said first mentioned means in set position, and means for operating the releasable means for permitting the operation of the first mentioned means.

e. A device of the class described including an operating mechanism for the drive connections between the power unit and the rear aXle, and a brake operating mechanism for disconnecting said drive connections and applying the brakes in the operation thereof, said mechanism including a housing provided with guides` a slide plate mounted for movement on said guides, connections between the slide plate and the drive-controlling connections, a brake operating shaft slidably mounted in the housing, independent means for operating the slide plate and the brake operating shaft, means for setting said independent means preparatory to an operation, releasable means for securing said independent means in such position, and means for operating said releasable means to permit the operation of the independent means.

5. A device of the class described including an operating mechanism for the drive connections between the power unit and the rear axle, and a'brake operating mechanism for disconnecting said drive connections and applyingthe brakes in the operation thereof, said mechanism'including a housing provided with guides, a slide plate mounted for movement onV the guides, connections between the slide plate and the drive controlling connection, a brake operating shaft slidably mounted in the housing, resilient f means mounted in said housing and connected with the brake operating shaft and the slide plate for normally operating said members to disconnect the drive and apply the brake, setting means for placing the resilient means under tension in position for operation, releasable means for holding said resilient means in set position, and means for operating said releasable means to permit the operation ofthe resilient means 6. A device of the class described including an operating mechanism for the drive connections between the power unit and the rear aXle, and a brake operating mechanism for disconnecting said drive connections and applying the brakes in the operation thereof, said mechanism including a housing provided with guides, a slide plate mounted for movement on the guides, connections between the slide plate and the drive controlling connections, a brake operating shaft slidably mounted in housing, independent spring members mounted in the housing for operating the slide plate and the brake operating shaft independently' of each other, a

setting mechanism adapted for setting said spring members preparatory to an operation, releasable means for holding said spring members in set position, and means for operating said releasable means to permit the operation of the spring member.

7. A device of the class described including an operating mechanism for the drive connections between the power unit and the rear axle, and a brake operating mechanism for disconnecting the drive connections and applying the brakes in the operation thereof, said mechanism including a housing provided with guides, a slide plate mounted for movement on the guides, connections between the slide plate and the drive controlling connections, a brake operating shaft slidably mounted in the housing, resilient means mounted in the housing for operating said slide plate and brake operated shaft, a setting mechanism for tensionino` said resilient means preparatory to an operation thereof having a shaft rotatably mounted on said housing, connections between the shafts and the slide plates for moving said slide plates toward the housing in the rotation of the shaft for placing said springs under tension, dis-engageable clutch members mounted on said shafts, manually operated means for rotating one of said clutch members'for cooperative relation with the other clutch member to rotate said shaft and set a resilient means under tension, latching means adapted for holding said resilient means in set position, and operating means for said latching means adapted to disengage the same from said resilient means toA permit the operation thereof.

8. A device of the class described including an operating mechanism for the vdrive connections between the power unit and the rear axle and the brake operating mechanism for disconnecting said drive connections and applying the brakes in the uprights thereof, said mechanism including a housing provided with guides, a slide plate mounted for movement on the guides relative to said housing, connections between the slide plate and the drive controlling connections, a brake operating shaft slidably mounted in the housing, resilient means mounted in the housing for operating rthe bralre operating shaft and the slide plate, a setting mechanism for said resilient means having a shaft rotatably mounted on the rear end of the housing, cable connections between said shaft and said slide plate adapted in the rotation of the shaft to wind said cables thereon for moving the slide plate toward the housing for tensioning said resilient means, a pair of cooperating clutch members mounted on said shaft, one of said members being adapted for rotation relative thereto, means for normally disengaging said members from cooperative connection, manually operable means for actuating said movable clutch member for cooperation with the other clutch member mounted on the shaft adapted for rotating the shaft in step by step movement, a pawl and ratchet mechanism mounted on said shaft and cooperating with said cooperating clutch members for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction during the operation of the setting ymechanism for placing said resilient means under tension, a latch member adapted for cooperation with the resilient means to hold it in set position, and means for releasing the said latch member to permit the operation of the resilient means.

lin testimony whereof I afix my signature.

ANGELOS KURTIS. 

